On our Rochdale trip last week we had John with us. He was the bus driver of the York City team back in the early 80s. John told us what happened on one of his away trips with City.

This story was from way back when Barry Lyon was manager. The company that John worked for had just taken delivery of the first split level bus in the country. This bus was top of the range with toilet, coffee making facilities and video. Of course we take this for granted now but back then this was all new. John said it was literally the best bus in the country at the time and York City got to use it. They were going to an away game and had arranged to stop off for the teams pre match meal. As the pulled up to where they were going to eat, 2 other clubs were already doing the same thing.

John Bonds Manchester City

Along with Big Rons WBA

John said the York players got of the bus wearing only one piece of club wear some rather tatty v neck jumpers. Inside the Man City players were there dressed emacutly in their club suits. West Brom players wore club blazers and slacks. Both flamboyant managers dressed to impress both dripping with gold jewellery. Those 2 sets of players were tucking into steak and chips whilst the York players ate egg and chips. As it came time to leave all the players started to mingle with each other talking to friends and ex team mates. As they left the building the players from the top teams looked on as the York players started to board the best bus in the country whilst the division one players got on buses like the one in The film in Porridge. The York players gave their more illustrious colleagues a famous English salute whilst laughing their heads off.